"I'm sorry to trouble you."
On the forest path, Shaka lay on Yamato's back, the giant Minotaur's hide wrapped around her waist as they made their way towards the city, In this battle, Shaka had used every trump card at his disposal suffering severe injuries to his arms and legs, with even cracked ribs.
Before he could finish speaking, a violent fit of coughing seized him.
"Don't speak, Shaka-sama. We'll be in the city soon." Yamato quickened her pace slightly, her steps steady, as guilt colored her voice:
"I'm sorry you were hurt so badly because of us."
"No need to apologize. Didn't I say I fight for the honor of my Familia?" Shaka said, relieved. "Besides, if you hadn't come back, I'd be dead by now."
"But..."
Yamato's heart stirred. Thinking back to all her experiences even the sake incident in the Far East lands, she'd never met anyone quite like the members of the Astraea Familia.
So she made an offer:
"I feel indebted to you all. In the future, I'd like to teach combat to the children of your Familia."
"Okay."
Shaka did not refuse. Under cover of night, the two returned to the city gates.
At the City Gate
Astraea, Cecil, Ouka, and other members of the Astraea Familia were preparing to leave the city to search for them.
"They're back! They're back!" a bird familiar chirped joyfully.
Astraea and Cecil let out long breaths of relief. Takemikazuchi the deity of the Takemikazuchi Familia also smiled warmly.
"Quickly! Take Shaka-sama to the healing ward at once!"
The group rushed him to the Temple of Healing, using the commission earnings to purchase high-grade recovery potions to stabilize his condition. Soon, Shaka's mental state improved dramatically, though his fractured bones would require several days of rest thanks to the incredible vitality granted by the Falna.
Takemikazuchi, accompanied by Ouka and others, bowed deeply to Shaka an unusual sight for a deity to show such deference to a mortal child:
"We are truly sorry for putting you in danger. Thank you so much for everything. Here is the remaining commission payment please accept it."
Shaka took the pouch without hesitation. Inside lay 100,000 Valis no small sum of money.
Ouka added: "Because we reported the emerging monster tide, the Guild has increased quest rewards. The city is now under martial law, and they'll soon deploy troops or hire high-level adventurers to deal with the threat."
She promised: "We will honor our agreement with Shaka-sama as soon as possible."
After another round of bows, the group departed to care for Chigusa a younger Familia member who had been more seriously injured in the earlier incident.
On the Way Back
Shaka looked at Cecil with obvious embarrassment:
"I'm sorry the armor and weapons you forged for me are destroyed. I'll use this payment to compensate you for new ones when we return."
Cecil's brows furrowed, and she lightly kicked his thigh in frustration.
"Idiot! Why are you worrying about money at a time like this?!"
Her cheeks puffed out as she softened her tone:
"If the equipment couldn't hold up, that's my fault as the smith. I'll forge you new gear tomorrow, no charge for the damage."
Shaka knew Cecil's work was already top-tier; the destruction was purely due to his reckless fighting style. But seeing her sullen expression, he understood she was just putting on a tough front.
Tsunderes really do make things harder than they need to be…
Cecil's Blacksmith Shop
"I'm back."
Shaka and the others pushed open the door and froze.
Lulune the vice-captain of the Hermes Familia was face-down on the table, red liquid dripping from the corner of her mouth. The scene looked like a crime scene at first glance.
Shaka stepped forward to check her breathing: "She's fine, just asleep."
The next moment, a shriek rang out from the kitchen.
The group crowded inside to find a large, fuzzy black creature with a distended belly, its face covered in grease, sprawled across a backpack in the storage room. Vegetables, meat, and grains were scattered everywhere like a small tornado had torn through the place.
"Cecil, do you have a dog here? Like a husky?"
"What husky?"
Cecil was confused at first, then her face flushed with anger as she roared:
"MAMENOSUKE!"
Call me Lord Meow-Meow!
The creature rolled over with a groan, burped loudly, and let out a meow. But then its ears shot up in panic:
[Oh no the big devil is back! Escape plan failed! All because of those damned dried fish, potato croquettes, braised beef, egg pancakes, cheese bread, and sausages…]
[I could still run. I took down that hellhound easily—Lord Meow-Meow is invincible!]
It tried to stand, then collapsed: [Ugh… too full. Feel sick. Can't move…]
Shaka walked over, picked up the dark furball, and stared at it: "What is this? A giant black rat?"
[Foolish humans! I am the Night Lord fourth-strongest executive of the Abyssal Rulers!]
"It's a black cat, Mamenosuke." Cecil snatched the creature away and cradled it in her arms, though it looked pained from being squeezed.
"Black cat? It barely looks like one."
"Its Ruri's black cat," Cecil held up the stuffed feline, whose face was twisted in discomfort.
"Oh?"
Astraea stepped forward and explained Mamenosuke's background to Shaka…
"This one…"
Shaka looked at the creature suspiciously, his gaze sweeping over the mess on the floor. Lulune was still asleep, and a faint curse aura lingered around her clearly the work of this cat. And before that…
The merchant guild cellar murders.
The pieces clicked into place. But why did the creature in front of him seem so different from what he'd imagined?
"You were trying to run away earlier, weren't you!" Shaka stared intently at Mame no Suke, who was now sprawled on the table as everyone watched.
"Meow." The cat made a look of innocent confusion.
"We meet again, old friend. Your secret's out."
Shaka crossed his arms, standing firm.
[What?!]
Mamenosuke's ears perked up, and it turned to stare at Shaka with wide eyes.
The others looked on in confusion as Shaka spoke to a cat.
Shaka gently shook Lulune awake, then said slowly:
"Remember the merchant guild we investigated? Ten mercenaries died in their cellar."
Cecil's eyes widened in shock: "You were investigating that behind my back?!"
Girl, why do you look like you just caught your partner cheating?
Shaka coughed to change the subject: "The attacker that fled the scene was a cat-like monster, at least Level 2 strength."
Four pairs of eyes locked onto Mame no Suke.
The creature scratched its head with a paw and began grooming its fur.
Cecil turned to Shaka, worry etched across her face: "Did you hit your head out there? Should we take you back to the healer? I'll cover the cost."
"Forget it."
Confident in his deduction, Shaka pointed at Mame no Suke: "Stop pretending, I know you can talk."
"Hmph! I've known your true identity for a while now. There's just one thing I don't get."
Shaka looked genuinely puzzled:
"You knocked Lulune out, so why didn't you run? Instead you ate all our food?"
"Are you really just that greedy? You'd give up freedom for a meal? How can a cat be this stupid?"
At that, Mamenosuke's fur stood on end, and it blurted out:
"Meow! I am the Calamity Beast under the Abyss Lord, Lord Meow-Meow! I would never be defeated by dried fish, braised meat, or fried potato balls! Don't slander me!"
Stare—
The air fell completely still.